Books Full of Belly Laughs
by Kathie Matsil
Now that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is behind
us, we can take a deep breath, settle back and resume our daily
routines. Life is overwhelming enough for adults, but it also
trickles down to our children, as well. We’ve always heard that
“laughter is the best medicine” and more than ever, we need to make
sure there is laughter in our homes. With the stressful economic
times, school, extra-curricular activities, and the threat of
illness during the cold and flu season, we sometimes forget that
children easily sense the worries of their parents and caregivers.
When was the last time you really had a good laugh with your
family? Each year, January 24 is designated as “Belly Laugh Day.”
What better way to add humor to your everyday activities, than to read books that make you chuckle.
There’s nothing more wonderful than to hear children giggle. Sharing a
funny story can bind us together and increase a healthy, happy
feeling of well being. Warning — it can be contagious, strengthen our immune systems and even relax our
bodies!
 We all need more humor in our lives. There’s no better way to end
a demanding day, than by cuddling up with your child, sharing the
day’s activities and reading a funny story together. There are so
many children’s authors who write with humor. I’ve listed a few of
our patrons’ most requested titles.
Rod Clement, author of ust Another Ordinary Day, has created
another hilarious story of misadventure, combining tongue-in-cheek humor,
with unique illustrations. In Grandpa’s Teeth, Grandpa’s custom made
teeth are missing from his bedside table. The entire town is
searched. The townspeople are smiling their toothiest grins.
Children will roar with laughter upon finding out just who stole
them!
 Daniel Pinkwater is known for his fun loving characters Irving
and Muktuk: Two Bad Bears. There is an annual celebration entitled
the Blueberry Muffin Festival in Yellowtooth. Each year these bears
think up muffin-getting schemes to outsmart Officer Bunny. Will they
ever get their blueberry muffins? Their antics will have readers
laughing with each foolish attempt.
Peggy Parish is best known for her humorous books. Her Amelia
Bedelia series, which was originally written in the 1960s, is still
just as popular today with beginning readers. The main character,
Amelia, gets herself into a variety of odd situations causing chaos
around her by literally interpreting what is said to her. Herman
Parish, the nephew of Peggy Parish, is also the author of 14 books
about Amelia Bedelia.
 I Love My New Toy! by Mo Willems is a wonderful story of a
friendship that is tested, when Gerald the Cautious Elephant’s new
toy is broken by Piggie, who tends to be hasty. Can this friendship
be saved? The vocabulary is perfect for the new reader. The dialogue
between the characters is highlighted in colors that coordinate with
what is said. This is a perfect story where a parent can read the
lines of Piggie and the child can read the lines of Gerald. Children
will easily relate to the emotions portrayed by Willems’ characters.
You’ll both be laughing by the end of the story.
 Who doesn’t know Dav Pilkey? Readers of all ages know his Captain
Underpants series. In the first book in the series, George and
Harold conspire to invent a superhero. Follow their funny escapades
as they decide to bring him to life at their elementary school. This
Caldecott Honor illustrator packs every book with hilarious
illustrations and fast paced adventures. His chapter books can be
enjoyed by children of all ages.
Events at the Meriden Public Library
The Meriden Public Library offers a variety of programs for
children, birth through grade eight. Join us for Start on Stories
which is a lap sit program intended for infants through age 2 with a
parent or caregiver. We also offer preschool and kindergarten enrichment programs, as well as crafts, cooking and rocket
building. Our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten begins this month.
During school and summer vacations, we offer special programs
where professional performers entertain our patrons. We also
coordinate outreach programs to our “tween” patrons. This includes
visiting our middle schools weekly during the school year. There are
also movies and book discussion groups.
The library will be adding a new Early Literacy Technology Center
for our young patrons. Through a generous donation from the Noah’s
Ark of Hope Foundation, the Bourdon Family will be purchasing AWE
Preschool Computers, furniture and board books that will highlight
this newest addition to our Children’s Department.
The Meriden Public Library is located at 105 Miller Street in
Meriden. For more information, call 203-630-6347, email
mplchildrens@hotmail.com or visit
www.meridenlibrary.org.
Kathie Matsil is the Children’s Librarian at the Meriden Public
Library in Meriden.
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